God has Invited you to a Reunion

After my dad had cancer surgery, he wanted to have a reunion with his children and grandchildren so he could see them all again in case he didn’t have much more time. So, he called his children and grandchildren and invited them to spend a weekend with him starting on Friday and ending on Sunday. One grandson lived thousands of miles away and wanted to come but couldn’t afford the plane ticket. My dad told him that he would pay for the plane ticket with his frequent flyer miles. The grandson also wanted my dad to meet his girlfriend. So, my dad also used his frequent flyer miles for her also. My brother has a family of four and they needed a place to stay during the reunion. My dad has a cabin that sleeps up to eight people that he rents out as a vacation rental. My dad told my brother that he would clear the cabin schedule for that weekend so my brother and his family could stay there. My dad also cooked an extremely large ham so that everyone would have something to eat if they needed it. His granddaughter said that she would only be driving up on Saturday to visit with everyone. She lived close by and couldn’t easily accommodate a place for her dogs to stay while she was gone so she only planned for a day trip.

By Friday evening everyone except my niece had arrived. Unfortunately, my dad had a large wound on his leg from a fall that had become infected. I had to take him to the hospital late Friday night to get antibiotics administered through an IV. We didn’t know how long he would have to be at the hospital. On Saturday, we all waited at my parent’s house for any word from the hospital about my dad’s release time. On Saturday afternoon, a mysterious wail from an air horn filled the neighborhood. Shortly afterwards, my niece and her husband had to leave because evening darkness was coming and they needed to head home.

On the third day of the reunion, early Sunday morning we got the call from my dad that he was being released from the hospital and could come home. He still had the wound on his leg but no more infection. That afternoon he took everyone on a boat ride with a float that his grandsons had a blast riding. That was the last time we saw my dad. He died a few weeks later.

For most of his family, we will always remember that Sunday afternoon where we were together having a great time. Unfortunately, that’s not true for my niece. When her grandfather passed away she was extremely distraught since she had missed her chance to see him again. She will remember for the rest of her life that she failed to appreciate that there wasn’t another chance to see her grandfather.

This is similar to the reunion God has prepared. For those who want to come to God’s reunion, they will be brought by God from all the corners of the globe (Matthew 24:31). God has prepared a place large enough for everyone to stay (John 14:2-3). He has made all the preparations to take care of their needs (Matthew 25:34). There will be no renters at his house who can buy a place to stay when he clears his house for his family (Luke 20:16). Those who have been called to the reunion can invite their friends who will also be welcome if they wish to attend (Matthew 28:19-20). However, we don’t know when God will return for the reunion (Matthew 24:37-44). No one knows the time (Matthew 24:36). We have to wait for the call (1Thessalonians 4:16). Those who are prepared to stay the whole time will get to see him again and will remember that day forever as a day of great happiness and joy (Matthew 25:1-13). Those who only want to visit with God and are too busy with the things of this world will leave after the last trumpet sounds and go into the darkness (Matthew 25:30). They will not meet again at the reunion (Matthew 25:10-12). They will lament for the rest of their existence that they failed to appreciate that there weren’t any more chances except the one that they got in this life to be with God (Luke 16:19-31).

Hope to see you at the reunion that God has prepared for you. Don’t miss your chance to be with God!

Dr. J. Clontz – Editor of The Comprehensive New Testament